Man booked for simple cruelty in North Shore dog-dragging case

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Man booked for simple cruelty in North Shore dog-dragging case

SLIDELL, La. — A Slidell man has been arrested for simple cruelty to animals after pictures posted on social media created a firestorm over allegations that he dragged his canine to death, according to the St. Tammany Parish Sheriff’s Office.

The sheriff’s office says 50-year-old Willis Brailey is being charged for the neglectful death of his dog, but investigators determined it was an accident and that Brailey was distraught over the dog’s death.

Brailey turned himself into authorities to give his side of the story, which was quite different than the allegations being made on social media, the sheriff’s office said.

The case received a lot of media attention after the Humane Society of Louisiana sent a press release that included photos of the dead dog and Brailey.

Brailey told investigators he took his two dogs for a ride, which he often does, and put them on a leash inside the bed of his pickup truck. What Brailey didn’t know is that one of his dogs jumped out of the pickup truck while he was driving down Highway 190 in Slidell.

Brailey was flagged down by several people, prompting him to pull over at a nearby gas station.

Brailey discovered his dog was dead and was very distraught, but was faced with an angry person accusing him of “murdering” his dog, according to authorities.

Brailey told investigators that the situation became intense, causing him to leave the scene and his dog behind.

Brailey immediately went home and called Slidell Animal Control in order to report the incident and to have his deceased dog picked up. Slidell Animal Control was closed because it was Sunday evening, but Brailey left a message with his name and phone number.

When asked why Brailey did not pick up the deceased dog himself, he indicated he was physically unable to do so, which was why he contacted Slidell Animal Control. Contrary to reports made on social media, there were no other passengers in the vehicle with Brailey.